Document Detail


Methadone ameliorates multiple-low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18671992     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of pancreatic islets and destruction of beta cells by the immune system. Opioids have been shown to modulate a number of immune functions, including T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines. The immunosuppressive effect of long-term administration of opioids has been demonstrated both in animal models and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methadone, a mu-opioid receptor agonist, on type 1 diabetes. Administration of multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ) (MLDS) (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days) to mice resulted in autoimmune diabetes. Mice were treated with methadone (10 mg/kg/day subcutaneously) for 24 days. Blood glucose, insulin and pancreatic cytokine levels were measured. Chronic methadone treatment significantly reduced hyperglycemia and incidence of diabetes, and restored pancreatic insulin secretion in the MLDS model. The protective effect of methadone can be overcome by pretreatment with naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist. Also, methadone treatment decreased the proinflammatory Th1 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma] and increased anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Histopathological observations indicated that STZ-mediated destruction of beta cells was attenuated by methadone treatment. It seems that methadone as an opioid agonist may have a protective effect against destruction of beta cells and insulitis in the MLDS model of type 1 diabetes.
Authors:
K Amirshahrokhi; A R Dehpour; J Hadjati; M Sotoudeh; M Ghazi-Khansari
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2008-07-11
Journal Detail:
Title:  Toxicology and applied pharmacology     Volume:  232     ISSN:  1096-0333     ISO Abbreviation:  Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.     Publication Date:  2008 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-09-22     Completed Date:  2008-10-06     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0416575     Medline TA:  Toxicol Appl Pharmacol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  119-24     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Blood Glucose / drug effects
Cytokines / metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*,  immunology,  metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / chemically induced,  drug therapy*,  immunology,  metabolism
Drug Administration Schedule
Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
Injections, Intraperitoneal
Insulin / blood
Methadone / pharmacology*
Mice
Naltrexone / pharmacology
Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
Pancreas / drug effects*,  immunology,  metabolism,  pathology
Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*,  metabolism
Streptozocin / administration & dosage
Time Factors
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Blood Glucose; 0/Cytokines; 0/Hypoglycemic Agents; 0/Immunosuppressive Agents; 0/Narcotic Antagonists; 0/Receptors, Opioid, mu; 11061-68-0/Insulin; 16590-41-3/Naltrexone; 18883-66-4/Streptozocin; 76-99-3/Methadone

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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